Cross-Realm Zones Introduced

Nethaera

During the initial phase of testing we will be sharing the following zones between the available beta realms: Northern Barrens, Ashenvale, Azshara, Darkshore, Westfall, and Silithus. We are also able to split over-populated zones and will be testing this new technology on the Pandaren starting area (turtle zone).

For beta testing purposes, we will be matching up all realm types whether they are PvP or PvE. This is different than what we plan to do for the live realms, however. For the live realms we will be matching realm types: PvP with PvP, PvE with PvE, RP-PvP with RP-PvP, and RP-PvE with RP-PvE. As always, we plan to keep an eye on constructive feedback while in testing of this new technology.

For more information on Cross-Realm sharing, please read the FAQ below:

F.A.Q.

Q. Why cross-realm zones?For many years now, the significant majority of the player population online at any given time has consisted mostly of characters at or near the level cap. This has resulted in an environment where characters that are leveling up experience a world that has fewer other players to interact with than what the world was designed for. Cross-realm zones give us the capability to ensure that level-up zones retain a population size that feels more like the high level areas of the game, leading to a more fun play experience for characters of all levels.

Q. How do cross-realm zones work?When you’re in a zone that is set as a ‘cross-realm zone’ you’ll notice that in addition to the players you’d ordinarily see from your realm, you’ll also see (and be able to play with) players from other realms. This will happen seamlessly, and players will be able to group and quest as they normally would with players from their own realm.

Q. How will this work on boats or zeppelins?Usually transitions will occur on area boundaries (think moving from Darkshore to Ashenvale).

Q. Can I form groups with the people I meet in the zone?Yes! You can group and talk to others within the cross-server zone normally though trading will be restricted much as it is within raids, dungeons, or battlegrounds.

Q. Will my cross-realm group be disbanded if we move on to an adjacent zone together, like from Goldshire to Westfall or from Thousand Needles to Feralas?Much like how cross-realm groups currently work, your party won’t be disbanded when you move through different zones, though if you’re not in the same home realm, you won’t be able to see each other if you’re in separate zone instances.Q. Will I be able to group with my friends?Yes, you will be able to group with your Real ID friends, provided they are within the same faction. The functionality works the same as it does for cross-realm dungeons, raids, or Battlegrounds.Q. What level range do my friends and I have to be within in order to group?There is no restriction on level ranges. You’ll be able to group with anyone you would normally be able to.

Q. Can I go into main capital cities while grouped with others?Capital cities and areas with regularly high populations will not be set as cross-server areas/zones so you will not be able to enter into the same instance of a city as someone who is from a different realm.Q. Will I be able to trade with others I meet?Trading restrictions are in place much the same as they are in cross-realm dungeons, raids, and battlegrounds.

Q. How is group loot handled?Group looting will function the same as it would with any group you would create through normal play.

Q. Who will I be playing with?You’ll be able to interact with players from within a select pool of realms which will make it possible to run into a player in Redridge that you already ran into within Westfall.

Q. What areas will be shared?This can vary from realm to realm and relies on how densely populated (or underpopulated) an area is. Capital cities and areas with regularly high populations will not be eligible for area sharing.Q. What about resources or gathering nodes, will those be shared too?Resources and nodes will be available to all parties within the shared area the same as always. We will be keeping a close eye on the impact of area sharing and should an area become too populated, we are capable of adjusting how many realms are able to connect to a shared area.

Q. Does this mean that Auction Houses will be merged?No, when any player access an Auction House, they will be only able to access their home realm’s Auction House.

Q. What about zones that are already overpopulated, like new race starting zones?With this technology, we can also flag zones to allow for more than one copy of that zone per realm. Players on that realm will be split among those copies in order to alleviate problems due to overpopulation. Players won’t normally see or interact with those on a different instance of their zone, although joining a party will relocate all party members to a single instance of that zone.

Q. How will this work for PvP vs. PvE realms? Will these realm types be shared?No. Realm types will be matched with like realm types. So if you’re on a PvE realm, you’ll only be matched with other PvE realms. The same rules will apply for matching RP realm types and will be restricted to matching RP-PvP with RP-PvP and RP-PvE with RP-PvE. We plan to keep an eye on constructive feedback while testing this new technology.

Q. How will RID groups work? Which realm type would we play on?If you group up with somebody from a different rule type (via RealID for example) and go into a cross-realm zone you’ll be on the ruleset for that player’s realm type. So, if you’re on a PvP realm and a friend joins your group from a PvE realm and enters a cross-realm zone, the group will be in one of the PvP realm clusters and will use the PvP realm ruleset.

Comments

Comment by Nathanyal

on 2012-05-11T02:38:03-05:00

Now if down the road we could group with friends from other servers that would be boss!

Q. Will I be able to group with my friends?Yes, you will be able to group with your Real ID friends, provided they are within the same faction. The functionality works the same as it does for cross-realm dungeons, raids, or Battlegrounds.

Now if you mean friends you made that aren't on your Real ID and are on another server, that may not work.

Comment by cjp240573

on 2012-05-11T02:52:53-05:00

Love it, bad for the lower level peeps, more ganking taking place... Why they just didn't put a lot of lvl 90 quests in lower level zones, but no I still like the idea. :)

Comment by ithme

on 2012-05-11T03:14:46-05:00

This is great! I've been waiting for this feature in wow since I encountered a similar mechanic in Guild Wars (where you'd choose the instance of your zone from a drop down menu). I bet "titan" is just a code name the technology that'll bring all wow servers into one big world of warcraft!

<.<...>.>

*puts on tinfoil hat*

Comment by Rainemard

on 2012-05-11T03:30:07-05:00

Wow, this is amazing!

It's kinda funny too, because I have some friends I left behind on another server when they "quit" (we always come back, don't we?), and i've since made many alts and amassed more money than I can transfer with anyway, not to mention the cost of server transfers... but now we'll be able to stay on our respective servers and not only dungeon/raid/battleground together, but quest in (certain) zones too!

Comment by Maelynn

on 2012-05-11T03:43:11-05:00

This sounds like a great idea. I hate the empty desolate feel that most levelling zones have these days due to a lack of players.

One thing that saddens me a bit about WoW and its different realms, is that when I meet someone who also plays, or discover one of my friends does, the conversation always ends with "oh, you play on realm x... shame".The introduction of realID dungeoning/raiding was already a great improvement to me, but this will allow me to quest together with friends from other realms. Can't wait. ^^

The last question in the Q&A confuses me a bit, though, because it seems to contradict something said earlier and makes it vague. When questing and meeting random people, it'll all the be same realm type. Okay. However, when I group up with a realID friend, then one of us will temporarily switch to another realm type - allowing me to quest together with friends on, say, an RP realm when I'm not? So what's the pecking order then.... RP-PvP, PvP, RP-PvE, PvE?

Comment by kehwar23

Resources and nodes will be available to all parties within the shared area

This is not good for farmers

We will be keeping a close eye on the impact of area sharing and should an area become too populated, we are capable of adjusting how many realms are able to connect to a shared area

I hope so

Comment by YJMark

on 2012-05-11T08:44:31-05:00

imho - this is a great idea. It helps build communities, and makes you feel like you are actually in a MMO while leveling. Kudos to Blizz.

Comment by murphmanfa

on 2012-05-11T09:49:27-05:00

I, for one, welcome the return of Barrens chat.

Comment by lonewarrior

on 2012-05-11T09:59:58-05:00

I posted on numerous occasions in the past for just such an idea....I for one am finally glad Blizz is implementing something long over due. Now get rid of heirlooms...if they are still listening :P

Comment by Interest

on 2012-05-11T10:00:15-05:00

RIP Roleplaying Realms.

What do you mean by that? RP realms will be merged only with other RP realms.

To be fair that could still damage immersion though.

Comment by lankybrit

on 2012-05-11T10:36:42-05:00

I just don't see the reason for this at all. Blizzard have been changing the quests for quite a while now so that interacting with other players is not necessary. I can only see downsides from having more crowded leveling zones (other people getting to my nodes and quest objectives before me).

I just reject the whole hypothesis that 'Making zones as crowded as the high level zones' will make it a better play experience.

Cheers.

Comment by Entropyutd

on 2012-05-11T11:02:03-05:00

Seems like a waste of time IMO.

Ever since they got rid of group quests, what exactly is the necessity to add this?

Because the zones feeling empty after the majority have leveled to max level has been a constant source of whining.

I personally think it is a good idea, You will still be able to pug groups for dungeons etc, and if they do succeed and make the world feel more populated, then that cannot be a bad thing.

I suspect this is actually a test for when a time comes that Blizzard have to merge severs, This idea would certainly be a viable way of breathing life into low population servers.

Comment by Adamsm

on 2012-05-11T11:03:30-05:00

RIP Roleplaying Realms.

What do you mean by that? RP realms will be merged only with other RP realms.

To be fair that could still damage immersion though.

Not really; realms aren't something that is considered by the roleplayers.

I just don't see the reason for this at all. Blizzard have been changing the quests for quite a while now so that interacting with other players is not necessary. I can only see downsides from having more crowded leveling zones (other people getting to my nodes and quest objectives before me).

I just reject the whole hypothesis that 'Making zones as crowded as the high level zones' will make it a better play experience.

While it's not necessary....it would still be fun to level with your RealID friends. As for the people getting to nodes and quests before you: That already happens, so time to relearn to sucking it up like you did in Vanilla, BC, Wrath and Cata.

Comment by tessae

on 2012-05-11T12:11:16-05:00

RIP Roleplaying Realms.

What do you mean by that? RP realms will be merged only with other RP realms.

Not all RP realms are the same. Some have different cultures and tolerances.

Stuff that is OK on Steamwheedle Cartel will get you reported and your account suspended on Moon Guard. Moon Guard is always full and locked for this reason ... it is the only realm where the GMs actually mean it when they say RP only.

And ERP stuff in Moon Guard in Gold shire and Falconwing Square would make folks on other servers blanch and hit the report button till it breaks. If Moon Guard is to be included in this, Blizz will have to make an adult only set of RP realms. Which they won't do as they will be immediately filled with players who want to avoid the lolkiddies, turning their old realms into wastelands.

And no one in their right mind wants to deal with Malganis. They are already the bane of LFG and LFR.

Comment by Entropyutd

on 2012-05-11T12:47:42-05:00

Blizz will have to make an adult only set of RP realms. Which they won't do as they will be immediately filled with players who want to avoid the lolkiddies, turning their old realms into wastelands..

Not to mention adult only realms is a logistical nightmare.How would you ascertain if a player was an adult or not? Besides such a realm would not guarantee any improvement whatsoever. There are still thousands of "Adults" who once they log on behave like children.

Comment by Interest

on 2012-05-11T17:34:14-05:00

During the initial phase of testing we will be sharing the following zones between the available beta realms: Northern Barrens

Wonder why no one's noticed this yet.

Comment by murphmanfa

on 2012-05-11T18:47:28-05:00

During the initial phase of testing we will be sharing the following zones between the available beta realms: Northern Barrens

Wonder why no one's noticed this yet.

Ahem.

I, for one, welcome the return of Barrens chat.

Comment by Primehorn

on 2012-05-11T19:02:19-05:00

why not just make one super server?... ...cause thats what its getting to

Comment by tessae

on 2012-05-11T19:56:29-05:00

why not just make one super server?... ...cause thats what its getting to